It never fails.
Sometimes its the most holy structure, sometimes it is the most impenetrable fortress. But always, it is the thing that is cherished the most by that society.
If the ancient Mayans or Athenians saw New York City, what do you think they would say. Would we hold our religious places to dominate the skyline, or would they find it difficult to even FIND those holy relics for the extraordinary worship of wealth and power and prestige now placed at the top of the “hill.”
London’s St.Paul’s Cathedral still dominates the skyline as it has for centuries. Some of the oldest drawings of the city in existence still have it dwarfing the rest of the city.
But if there was an “acropolis” of London, I wonder where it would be.
The Tower of London complex surely seems to have its place in the annals of English history, as well. Still, I found it odd that the “crosses” on such a structure were designed as a weapon of war rather than a symbol of peace.
Not only that, but the complex itself was used more regularly as a defense of the king against his own huddled masses than outside enemies.
Nevertheless, I’m glad that the way the Tower of London complex is presented is almost done in a rather tongue-in-cheek way as it comes to WHY it was built and how it was used. But as far as its bloody past goes, nothing could be taken more seriously. The number of people tortured and killed there causes any humor that might be felt to be quickly snuffed out.
It is a beautiful place these days. Well worth the price of admission. Possibly even the most worth the price of admission in all of London.
Stay tuned,
-Noah D.
